Electric-circuit-controlling apparatus for train-lighting and similar systems.



E. H. M. LANGLEY & E. W. PRICE. ELECTRIC GIRGUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR TRAIN LIGHTING AND SIMILAR SYSTEMS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 25, 1911.

1,079,013, Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS--SHEET l.

E. H. M. LANGLEY & E. W. PRICE.

' ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR TRAIN LIGHTING AND SIMILAR SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25, 1911.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fr/Ian M 10/- 6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD HERBERT MANN LANGLEY AND ERNEST WALTER PRICE, OF ASTON, BIR- MINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS TO THE ELECTRIC & ORDNANCE ACCESSORIES COMPANY, LIMITED, 01 BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR TRAIN-LIGHTING AND SIMILAR V SYSTEMS.

Specification Letters Patent,

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

Application filed July 25, 1911; Serial no. 640,484.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, EDWARD HERBERT MANN LANGLEY and ERNEST \VALTER PRICE, both subjects of the-Ki of Great Britain, residing at Gheston Rea Aston, Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Electric-Cir- 'cuit- Controlling Apparatus for Train- "switch for controllingi Lighting and Similar Systems, of which the following is a specification. N

This invention relates to electric circuit controlling apparatus for train lighting and similar systems, the chief object being to provide a simple and reliable form of master switch circuits by means of which no ght, halflight, or full light effects can be produced, as may be desired. The master switch is intended particularly for controlling two elec tro-magnetic switches so arranged that when one of the two switches is momentarily energized all lights are switched off, when both switches are momentarily energized half the lights are switched on, and when the other switch only is momentarily energized full lights are switched on.

According to this invention the master switch comprises a switch arm and a set of conducting and non-conducting segmental contacts so arranged that the no light, half light or full light eifects are produced by adjusting the switch arm to restupon one or other of three, non-conducting segments, and any change of ii hting effect is produced by moving the swite 1 arm over conducting segments situated between the aforesaid non-conducting segments.

The segmental contacts are preferably so arranged that the full range of movement of the switch arm is only half a revolution or there-about, the range of movement corresponding to a change from no lights to half lights or vice versa, being a quarter of a revolution'or thereabout, and similarly for the change from half lights to full lights, or vice versa. Stops may be provided to prevent movement of the switch arm beyond the proper limits.

In order that the invention maybe clearly understood and readily carried into effect, We will now describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents diagrammatically a train lighting system in which a master switch operating in accordance with this invention is used, in conjunction with a dynamo geared to a revolving shaft on the train, and two sets of secondary batteries, which latter alternately supply current to the lamps and become recharged by the dynamo asis well understood. Fig. 1 is an elevation of one constructional form of the switches controlled by the master switch. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the master switch to an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a secticn on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, viewed from below.

A represents the dynamo, B and B are the two sets of secondary batteries the positive poles of which are connected to one another by the resistance B and C and C are two series of lamps. The circuit of the series of lamps C is completed through the contacts (Z, (Z, and bridge piece a)" of an electromagnetic switch D, and the circuit of the series of lamps C is similarly completed through the contacts e e and bridge piece 6 of an electromagnetic switch E. The switch D is normally closed and the switch E is normally open. These two switches are preferably of a kind that becomes mcchanieally locked in position when energized, and may be so arranged that the energizing of either switch, separately, unlocks the other switch, but the energizing of both switches together causes neither to be locked. One arrangement of this kind is shown in Fig. 1, in which the plungers D, E,of thetwo solenoid switches D, E, respectively are connected by links D E to L- shaped pieces D E pivoted at D, E. Pins 1) E on the pieces D 4 2 are adapted for alternate engagement with the arms of a rocking member F. In the case of each L- shaped piece and connecting link there is what may be termed a dead-point; the weight of the plungers, assisted if necessary by a spring, tends to move the L-shaped pieces in one or other direction away from the dead-point position, but whereas in one direction this movement can take place freely, in the other direction all but a slight movement is checked, as for example by means of stops F. When either plunger is fully raised, the corresponding L-shaped piece and connecting link are moved to such a position that when the raising force on the plunger is removed the latter remains in its raised position owing to the link mechanism having passed its dead-point position and being prevented from moving farther by the stop F; in Fig. l the switch E is occupying this position. If the plunger D happened to be locked in its raised position at the time when the switch E was actuated, the rising of the plunger E would have caused the rocking member F to become tilted to such an extent that the L-shaped piece D and connecting link D of the locked plunger D would have been moved beyond their deadpoint position in the direction which permits of a free descent of thisplunger. If both plungers are raised simultaneously, both of the pieces D E have the same tendency to tilt the rocking member F, with the result that this member assumes an intermediate position, and therefore neither of the L-shaped pieces and their connecting links canpass beyond their dead-point in the direction which results in the locking of the corresponding plunger. Hence when the raising force on both plungers is released, these plungers both return to theirnormal position.

The bridge pieces'd, e are shown connected to stems slidably mounted in guides I d e in such a way that while being capable of actuation by their respective plungers they have no mechanical connection with these plungers.

The constructional form of master switch shown in the drawings comprises three non conducting segments F, G, H, and four conducting segments J, K, L and L arranged circularly with respect to an electrically conducting switch arm M extending diametrically across the segments. This switch arm may be provided with an arrow orv other indication or may be specially shaped to distinguish what may be termed its head from its tail. The two non-conducting segments F and H are diametrically situated and may be termed the off and full segments respectively; the third non-conducting segment G is situated midway between the other two and may be termed the half segment. Between the off seg ment and the half segment the plain conducting segment L is situated, and similarly the conducting se ent L is situated between the half and full segments. The other half of the circle is occupied by the two conducting segments J and K which are shaped to overlap for some considerable distance. The two lain conducting segments L and L are both connected to one terminal of a source of continuous current,

such as a battery N, the other terminal of which is connected, through two energizing coils D and E belonging to the two electromagnetic switches D and E respectively, with the aforesaid overlapping conducting segments J and K; the coil D of the normally closed electromagnetic switch D is connected to the segment J, and the coil E of the normally open switch E is connected to the other segment K.

Assuming that the arm of the master switch is in a position in which its head rests on the 01f non-conducting segment F, then as the said switch arm is rotated and passes on to the segment J, the coil D of the normally closed electro-magnetic switch D becomes energized by currentfrom the battery N and therefore opens, (if it is not already locked in, its open position owing to a previous switching operation), and the switch arm then passes onto the overlapping portions of the two switch segments J and K, whereupon both electromagnetic switches are energized. The tail of the switch arm then passes onto the half non-conducting segment G, thereby causing both electromagnetic switches to re turn to their normal position. Since the switch D is normally closed, the circuit of the lamps C will be closed also. and the half light efiect will therefore be obtained. The continued movement of the switch arm in the same direction causes its head to travel over the remaining overlapping portions of the switch segments J and K, and then to make contact only with the segment K, which, as above stated, is connected to the coil E of the normally open electro-magnetic switch E. This switch E is therefore energized and becomes mechanically locked in its closed position. Since the other switch D is already closed. the circuits of both series of lamps C and C are closed, and the full light effect is obtained. The switch arm can now move onto the full non-conducting segment H and thereby switch off the energizing current from the battery N without affecting the lighting circuits.

The effects of the return movement of the I switch arm will be readily understood. During the first quarter revolution of movement thereof, bot-h electromagnetic switches will be energized and then both deiinergized,

thereby obtaining half light effects, and

during the second quarter revolution of movement, the normally closed switch D will be energized and mechanically locked in its off position, thereby obtaining no light effects.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the whole of the control of the lighting circuits to obtain no light half light or full light effects is accomplished by a mere angular adjustment of may be inclosed in a casing such as (Figs.

2 and3) provided with an external handle P for actuating the switch arm M and stops Q. Q for limiting the movement of the handle. The front of the casingis conveniently marked with the words Off, Half and Full or some equivalent iiidication. The spindle P on which the handle P and switch arm M are mounted may also have attached to it a suitably shaped cam, such as the four-lobed cam R in Fig. 3, having one or more springpressed rollers, such as S, bearing upon it, in orderto mechanically force the switch arm M to correctly assume one or other of the aforesaid three positions.

l hat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric circuits each including lights, comprising an electrically operated switch in each circuit, means wherebyeither switch when moving in response to electrical operation causes the other switch, it in its electrically operated position, to move away therefrom, a single master switch comprising conducting and non-conducting contacts and a switch arm cooperating therewith, and electrical connections between the master switch and the electrically operated switches whereby movement of the switch arm across the face of the aforesaid contacts from one position to another causes neither circuit to be closed, or one circuit only to be closed,

or both circuits to be closed, according to the position assumed by the switch arm, thereby producing no light, half light or full light efifects.

2. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric circuits, comprising an electrically operated normally closed switch in one of the circuits, an electrically operated normally open switch in the other circuit, means whereby either switch when moving in response to electrical operation causes the other switch, it in its electrically operated position, to more back to its normal position, a source of electric current for energizing the switches, a master switch comprising conducting and non-conducting contacts and a switch arm cooperating therewith, and electrical connections between the aforesaid contacts, the electrically operated switches and the source of electric current, whereby movement of the switch arm across the face of the aforesaid contacts from one position to another causes the opening of the normally closed switch or the closing of the normally open switch, according to the position assumed by the said. switch arm.

3. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric lighting circuits, consisting in the combination with a normally closed solenoid switch in one circuit, a normally open solenoid switch in the other circuit, means for mechanically locking the switches in position when energized singly but not when energized together, and means whereby one switch when energized unlocks the other, it locked; of a master switch comprising conducting and non-conducting segmental contacts and a switch arm, a source oi electric current for energizing the solenoid switches, and electrical connections between the solenoid switches, the aforesaid contacts, and the source of electric current, thereby enabling the aforesaid switch arm, in moving from one extreme position to the other, to energize first the normally closed solenoid switch, then both solenoid switches, then to deenergizeboth switches, then to energize both switches again, then only the normally open switch, and finally to (lcenergize this switch.

4. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric lighting circuits, consisting in the combination with a normally closed solenoid switch in one circuit, a normally open solenoid switch in the other circuit, means for mechanically locking the switches in position when energized singly but not when energized together, and means whereby one switch when energized unlocks the other, it locked; of three circularly arranged nonconducting contacts, interposed conducting segmental contacts two of which overlap one another where they extend diametrically opposite to one of the said non conducting contacts, an angularly adjustable switch arin cooperating with the contacts. a source of electric current, and electrical connections between the said source. the windings of the solenoid switches. and th aforesaid conducting segmental contacts.

5. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric lighting circuits, consisting in the combination with normally closed solenoid switch in one circuit, a normally open solenoid switch in the other circuit, means for mechanically locking the switches in position when energized singly but not when energized together, and means whereby one switch when energized unlocks the other, it locked; of three circularly arranged non-conducting contacts two of which are diametrically situated, two plain segmental conducting contacts extending between the two diametrically situated non-conducting contacts and the third non-conducting contact, two other segmental conducting contacts extending from the two diametrically situate-d nonconducting contacts and overlapping each other diametrically opposite the third nonconducting contact over an arc of greater length than that corresponding to the aforesaid third contact, an angularly adpistahle switch arm extending diametrically across the contacts, a source of electric current, electrical connections between one terminal of the said source and the plain segmental conducting contacts, and between the other terminal and the windings of the solenoid switches, and electrical connections between the overlapping segmental conducting contacts and the said solenoid windings.

6. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric lighting circuits, consisting in the combination with a normally closed solenoid switch in one circuit, a normally open solenoid switch in the other circuit, means for mechanically locking the switches in position when energized singly but not when energized together, and means whereby one switch when energized unlocks the other, if locked;- of three circularly arranged nonconducting contacts two of which are diametrically sit-uated, two lain segmental conducting contacts extendmg between the two diametrically situated nonconducting contacts and the third non-conducting contact, two other segmental conducting contacts extending from the two diametrically situated non-conducting contacts and overlapping each other diametrically opposite the third non-conducting contact over an arc of greater length than that corresponding to the aforesaid third contact, an angularly adjustable switch arm extending diametrically across the contacts, a spindle carrying the switch arm, mean cooperating with the spindle to mechanically force the switch arm to assume one or other of certain definite positions, a source of electric current, electrical connections bet-ween one terminal of the said source and the plain segmental conducting contacts, and between the other terminal and the windings of the solenoid switches, and

electrical connections between the overlapping segmental conducting contacts and the said solenoid windings.

7. Apparatus for controlling a pair of electric lighting circuits, consist. ng in the metrically situated, two plain segmental conducting contacts extending between the two diametrically situated non-conducting contacts and the third non-conducting contact, two other segmental conducting contacts extending from the two diametrically situated non-conducting contacts and overlapping each other diametrically opposite the third non-conducting contact over an arc of greater length than that corresponding to the aforesaid third cont-act, an angularly adjustable switch arm extending diametrically across the contacts, a spindle carrying the switclr arm, means cooperating *with the spindle to mechanically force the switch arm to assume one or other of certain definite positions, an inclosing casing, an external handle secured to a protruding part of the aforesaid spindle, means for limiting the extent of movement of the handle, a source of electric current, electrical connections between one terminal of the said source and the plain segmental conducting contacts, and between the other terminal. and the windings of the solenoid switches, and electrical connections between the overlapping segn'iental conducting contacts and the said solenoid. windings.

In testimony whereof we aliix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD HERBERT MANN LANGLEY. ERNEST WALTER PRICE.

Witnesses:

l'lENRY HERBERT OLIVER, Jossrn l'ViLLIAn' Hnnnrn'r. 

